Toruk - An Enchanting Performance

Me and my girlfriend Sassa recently saw Toruk: The First Flight and what a great time we had. She also volunteered to make the review so she is my humble guest for this blog post. 


It is not everyday that one can enter a world far removed from the noise and listlessness of city life. It is not everyday that the eyes are rewarded to a spectacle that not only amazes but also evokes our sense of pride in the power of the human imagination. But for two hours, TORUK: THE FIRST FLIGHT, takes us to that journey of discovery and hope.

Inspired by James Cameron’s film, Avatar, the story takes place 3,000 years prior to the events in a place called Pandora.  At stake is the sacred Tree of Souls with its existence under threat by an impending catastrophe. To save it, two boys, Ralu and Entu, embark on an a mission to save it. Along the way, they meet Tsyal and the three friends brave unknown territories as they encounter the five ancient Na’vi tribes. Each tribe is in possession of an object that is essential to their quest. Will they succeed or will their efforts be in vain?

This time, Cirque du Soleil ties down their performance with a tempered mix of innovative puppetry and neverending acrobatics. In Toruk, by far, the most impressive setpiece they used is what is purported to be a well-preserved skeletal carcass of an ancient creature that is valuable to one of the tribes. Used as an astronomical tool, performers alight this and a balancing act ensues as the contraption is set to a circular motion.  The execution was flawless and amazing.

To bring the story to life, technicolor lights and sounds helped transport the audience to the different milieus of each tribe. And as the story neared its climax, one can hardly guess that a rope bridge right in the middle of the stage can highlight the challenge set before our heroes. It was simply inventive that we give two thumbs up to the props design and set department. 

Setting a circus performance with an Avatar-inspired theme seems anything but apt and natural. The costumes and wardrobe entail performers to be dressed up in the skin-tight blue garb that perfectly defines and accentuate each and every acrobatic movement they make. And that is what Cirque du Soleil seems intent on bringing to its audience.

As TORUK: THE FIRST FLIGHT graciously comes to its finale, a feeling of hope and redemption gently revives the world weary spectator. Simply because it is not everyday that one is spellbound by an enchanting adventure.